Meta has unveiled a new pair of camera-free smart glasses, expanding its wearable technology lineup as concerns over privacy and covert recording continue to grow around AI-powered devices.
The announcement came during Meta’s annual Connect event, where the company also introduced new hardware and expanded the capabilities of its Muse AI assistant.
Camera-Free Design Targets Privacy Concerns
Meta’s new glasses remove the camera found on its existing AI-enabled Ray-Ban models. The move comes amid growing concerns that smart glasses can record people without their knowledge or consent.
According to reports, the camera-free glasses are expected in two styles, known as Clubmaster and Burbank, and are designed primarily around voice interaction with Meta AI and Muse.
The change reflects a wider industry effort to address privacy concerns while continuing to develop wearable AI technology.
Privacy Debate Around Smart Glasses
Meta’s camera-equipped glasses have become increasingly popular, but their ability to capture images and video has also attracted scrutiny. Some venues in the UK have restricted their use, while privacy concerns have also resulted in legal challenges.
Reuters reported that a proposed California class-action lawsuit alleges that private footage captured by the glasses was viewed by human annotators. Meta disputes the allegations and has said it will defend itself.
The company has previously relied on an indicator light to signal when the camera is recording, while also introducing measures intended to prevent recording if the light is covered or tampered with.
Meta Expands AI Wearables Strategy
Alongside the camera-free glasses, Meta unveiled Meta Charm, a small handheld device designed to provide access to its Muse AI assistant. The company said the device is expected to ship during the holiday season in December, although pricing was not announced.
Meta is also expanding Muse across its smart-glasses lineup, allowing users to perform tasks such as shopping and making appointments through voice commands.
The developments show Meta’s broader push to make AI-powered wearables part of everyday computing while addressing concerns around privacy, consent and data collection.
